Politics from the Palouse to Puget Sound

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Details Emerge on Hawkins Development

I have reviewed some of the Hawkins infrastructure bond documentation furnished by the Whitman County Commissioners, and there are some interesting details that have not yet been reported in the media.

**SCANS OF INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS NOW ADDED**

It has been mentioned previously that the water/sewage/electrical/road infrastucture that is created by this bond can be used for further development in the corridor. What is not well known, however, is that the Hawkins Companies will construct a fire station for Whitman County Rural Fire District #12 at their own expense! This will not only provide the Hawkins development with fire and emergency medical services, but the whole Pullman/Moscow corridor as well.

The sales tax estimates submitted by Hawkins provide some very interesting fuel for rumors on possible tenants of the mall. Here is the breakdown:
Department Store 160,000 sq. ft.
Home Improvement 120,000 sq. ft. (Lowe's obviously)
Textiles 25,000 sq. ft.
Theater 44,000 sq. ft.
Electronics 30,000 sq. ft.
Department Store 160,000 sq. ft.
Pharmacy 14,500 sq. ft.
Book Store 20,000 sq. ft.
Pet Store 15,000 sq. ft.
Discount Soft Lines 30,000 sq. ft.
Based on some of Hawkins previous tenants in Pocatello, Ammon, Nampa, Kennewick, Helena, Kalispell, and Bozeman, here are some ideas on what retailers might locate there:
Sportman's Warehouse (they are in a LOT of Hawkins developments, a very likely tenant)
Big Kmart
JC Penney
Smith's
Kohl's
Walgreen's
Maurices
TJ Maxx
Gap
Pier 1
Linens-n-Things
World Market
Lane Bryant
Dress Barn
Let the speculation begin!

Lastly, the Hawkins documentation provides a breakdown of what the infrastructure bond would be used for. Obviously, the lion's share ($3.25 million) would go towards the water system, including a $1.5 million water tank. This is no doubt to meet Ecology's mitigation requirements for the Paradise Creek water right. Approximately $2.75 million will go towards sewage treatment, including $2 million for a treatment plant (Ecology again.) I'm going to try and scan the exact breakdown and post it here later.



No comments: